Knockdown crate.



No. 744,299. PATBNTED NOV. 17, 1903.

0. 0. ORUMPTON. KNOUKDOWN CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21, 1903. N0 MODEL 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 [NVE/VTOR i I BY ivo. 744,299.

UNITED STATES Iatented November 17, 1903;

PATENT OFFICE.

KNOCKDOWN CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 744,299, dated November 1'7, 1903. Application filed February 21 1903. Serial N0.'144,360 (No model.)

T at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OLIVER O. CRUMPTON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paragould, in the county of Greene and State of Arkansas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Knockdown Crates, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in knockdown crates; and its object is to provide a simple and inexpensive device of this character which may be quickly set up or collapsed and which is provided with novel means for holding the parts socurely in opened position.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of the crate with all of its parts in position as it appears when in use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a transverse section. Fig. 4 is a View of the crate folded. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of a modification, and Fig. 6 is a similar view of said modification and showing the parts swung outward.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is the base of the crate, and at each end and one side thereof is secured a strip 2 and 3, respectively. The side strip'is not so high as the end strips, and all of the strips are held in position by means of L-shaped straps 4, which extend through and under the base 1 and are secured thereto. these straps forms one leaf of a hinge, and the other leaf is formed of a metal strip 5, secured, preferably, to the inner surface of either an end 6 or side 7 of the crate. A small L-shaped strap 8 extends through and is secured to the base 1 at the side thereof which is not provided with a side strip 3, and this strap forms one leaf of a hinge, the other leaf of which is constructed of a strip 9 of metal. This strip is fastened to the inner surface of a side 10 of the crate, and its end, as well as the ends of strips 5, extends beyond the outer edge of the side to which it is connected and is screw-threaded, as shown at Each of 11, and adapted to project through one of a series of apertures 12, formed in the top 13 of the crate. Thumb-nuts 14 are preferably arranged on the ends 11, so as to bind the top .tightly upon the ends 6 and sides 7 and 10. A rod 15 is arranged longitudinally upon the inner face of each side of the crate and is held in position by means of staples 16. The ends of the rods extend through apertures 17 in the ends 6 and are threaded to receive wthumb-nuts 18, whereby said ends 6 may be securely clamped against the sides.

' When it is desired to fold the crate, th rods 15 are, removed and the nuts 14 unscrewed from the ends 11. The top 13 is then taken off and side 10 swung down on the base 1. Side 7 is moved down into position thereover, and ends 6 are then folded inward.

If desired, the hinges can be placed outside the crate, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Any suitable construction can be devised for permitting this arrangement of the parts. In said figures I have shown the upper edges 19 of the side and end strips beveled inward and the adjoiningedges 20 of the sides and ends beveled correspondingly. With this construction a beveled strip 21 is arranged at the lower edge of. side 10, so as to permit said side to fold inward and downward upon the base 1.

It will be understood that by providing a crate of this construction it can be readily setup or collapsed, and when folded it can be transported from place to place at slight cost. Moreover, as it can be quickly collapsed or set up its use saves merchants or other large shippers considerable time and labor.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; but I do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is-- v In a crate, the combination with a base having straps secured thereto; of strips hinged to the straps, crate sides secured to and movable with the strips, the ends of the strips projecting above the crate sides, a top adapted and means for securing said crate ends to the to be engaged by and secured to the said proprojecting ends of the rods. to jecting ends, Iongitudinally-extending rods In testimony whereof I affix my signature slidably mounted upon the inner faces of the in presence of two witnesses.

5 sides of the crate, securing devices for hold- OLIVER O. ORUMPTON.

ing the rods to said sides, the ends of the Witnesses: rods projecting beyond the crate sides and ELI MEISEN,

adapted to extend through the crate ends, W. T. STEDMAN. 

